Racing News

Seven Team USA Minnesota distance runners – Andrew Carlson, Antonio Vega, Jon Peterson, Ben Sathre, Meghan Peyton, Ladia Albertson-Junkans and McKenzie Melander – will participate in the Life Time Fitness Torchlight 5K in downtown Minneapolis on July 17.  A field of over 5,000 will run in the 7:30 p.m. event which is part of the City of Minneapolis’ annual Aquatennial Festival.

The run starts on Hennepin Avenue and 16th Street and finishes at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park along the Minneapolis riverfront.  The evening running event – which will be followed by a post-race party – is held just prior to the Torchlight Parade on the same route.

                                                                  **********

Twin Cities In Motion (TCM), the organizers of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, launched a unique racing event called the TC Urban Dash scheduled for August 10, 2013, that will have participants exploring Minneapolis’ North Loop for a distance estimated at between four to six miles.

TCM and GearJunkie, along with FITSOK, have developed the event in which two and four-person teams will weave through the North Loop led by clues to hotspots worth points in the competition. Winning teams will earn free entry into the Medtronic TC 10 Mile contested during the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend.

The TC Urban Dash will conclude at North Loop Fest, where participants will be eligible for raffle prizes including two Soleus GPS 2.0 Running Watches valued at $149 each, ten TC Running Company $50 gift certificates, and two head-to-toe Brooks running outfits for men and women each. 

All participants will receive a 3-Pack of NEOPOP FITSOKs, a GU energy gel, a Soleus Dash running watch, entry into the North Loop Fest, a free beer at the Post Race Party, and guaranteed entry into the Medtronic TC 10 Mile. Complete details on the event can be found at tcmevents.org.

                                                                **********

The 42^nd running of the Park Point 5-Miler – northern Minnesota’s oldest road race – is set for Friday, July 19. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with youth races for children 14 and under, followed by a two-mile walk at 6:15 p.m., and then the five-mile feature race at 6:30 p.m.

Online pre-registration for is available through Thursday at www.GrandmasMarathon.com or www.YoungAthletesFoundation.com. Those choosing to sign up on race day should visit the pavilion at the end of Park Point between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The pre-registration entry fee is $25 for the five-mile run and two-mile walk and $35 on race day. The youth races are free.

All finishers in the run and walk will receive a commemorative T-shirt, and awards will be presented to the top participants at an award ceremony following the five-mile run. Ribbons will be awarded to youth race participants upon completion of their event.

Participants are encouraged to plan extra travel time to Park Point to ensure they arrive on time for their event. For the safety of race participants, Minnesota Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic from approximately 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Net proceeds from the Park Point 5-Miler benefit the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF), a Grandma’s Marathon program focused on the promotion and development of youth athletics.

Masters M70 1500 Results

In the M70 1500 Sherwood Sagedahl finished second in 5:54.64, Rick Kleyman was fourth in 6:18.71, and Thom Weddle came in fifth in 6:20.52

Kampf Wins Again, New PR

Team USA Minnesota's Heather Kampf won the 800 at the Golden Spurs Meet in Kortrijk, Belgium on Sunday in a new PR of 2:00.12, tantalizingly close to the two minute barrier.  Lakeville and U of Minnesota's Elizabeth Yetzer finished fourth in 2:09.93, also a PR.  Yetzer's latest blog update is HERE.

Added note:  Hassan Mead FloTrack interview after his PR in the 5K is HERE.

More Minnesota Masters Results

By Tom Langenfeld
Minnesotans have picked up a fair number of medals so far.  Chris Cohen won the M40 110 hurdles.  Shawn Hipp won the W55 80m hurdles.  Thom Weddle -- second in both the M70 steeple and 5000m;   Jim Shoffman  -- third in the M60 800m and 400m; Susan Loyd -- third in the W55 400m and 100m.  I managed to win the M75 high jump -- my thirteenth consecutive outdoors.  But turned an ankle trying for an American record. Lance Elliott was fourth in both the M40 800 and 1500. 

Hope to have a complete summary on Sunday evening. A complete schedule of events with results as they become available is HERE.

Anderson Wins in Madrid; More Fast Times on the Euro Circuit

Gabriele Anderson won the 1500 at the Madrid IAAF World Challenge meet in 4:08.54 on Saturday. The US's Morgan Uceny was second in 4:10.63.  Results are HERE. Hassan Mead set his second PR this season in the 5K at the KBC Nacht meet in Belgium. Mead ran 13:11. 80, a best by nearly four seconds.  The top ten men, including four Americans, all ran under the A qualifying standard of 13:15 and Ryan Hill booked his spot on the US team for Moscow by finishing tenth in 13:14.22.  Full results are HERE.

In other events, Ben Blankenship was fourth in the B heat of the 1500 in 3:38.22, his fastest time this season.  Garrett Heath finished sixth and Will Leer 14th in the A heat of the 1500.  Heath ran 3:36.70, Leer 3:41.32. In the 5K B race Elliott Heath ran 13:27.60 and finished second. .27 of a second out of first.

FloTrack interview with Hassan Mead is HERE.

US Masters Friday Results

Jim Schoffmann and Susan Lloyd both finished third in the 400 at the USA Masters Championships in Kansas.  Schoffmann ran 60.01, while Lloyd finished in 63.37.  Lance Elliott was fourth in the 1500 in 4:14.84, and Stewart Sagedahl ran 68.25 for fourth in the 400.

Will Leer Belgian Bike Interview

FloTrack interview with Will Leer, who talks about the US Championships, blisters, recovery, what's next is HERE.

Sherwood Sagedahl Wins Pentathlon

Sherwood Sagedahl  (M74, Fairmont, Minn.) didn’t break his age group world record in the men’s pentathlon Thursday, but he still dominated the event. Sagedahl  set the world record at the 2012 USA Masters Outdoor Championships in Lisle, Ill. While he fell short of improving the world mark (he scored 3,612 Thursday and 3,806 in 2012), Sagedahl continues to compete at a high level. He finished more than 1,400 points ahead of second place.

“I didn’t break the record, but I am happy with my totals,” he said. In addition to the five events from the pentathlon Thursday, Sagedahl will also compete in the 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, javelin, and long jump and look to add to his list of national championships.

Minnesotans at the KBC Knight Meet in Huesden; Podominick to throw at Chula Vista OTC Next Week

Hassan Mead, Ben Blankenship, Elliott and Garrett Heath are on the start list for Saturday, July 13's KBC Night Meet in Huesden, Belgium.  Mead will be running the 5K with the US's Ryan Hill who is hoping to run the qualifying standard for the 5K to enable him to run that event in the IAAF Championships in Moscow.

Garrett and Elliott Heath are on the start list for the A heat of the 1500, while Ben Blankenship and Matt Elliott are listed for the B heat.  Next week at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center in Southern California US World team member Liz Podominick will be competing in the discus at the OTC-12 Pre Worlds competitions there.  It's Podominick's first competition since the US Championships. She's trying to find some overseas meets to keep sharp prior to the Moscow IAAF Champs.

Homepage for the KBC meet is HERE.  Info on the OTC-12 meet is HERE.

Tom Heinonen Selected for the University of Oregon Hall of Fame

Tom Heinonen will be inducted into the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame in October.  Heinonen, who ran for Robbinsdale High School and the University of Minnesota is also a member of the Minnesota Track and Field Hall of Fame.  Story from his induction in 2011 is HERE. Article on the Oregon selection is HERE.  Eugene Register Guard article is HERE.

Minnesotans in Morton Mile

Will Leer(6) wins his second Morton Mile(he's won it in 2010 and 2012)

Will Leer won it last year and will be back to defend his title on July 17 at the Morton Mile in Dublin, Ireland. Ben Blankenship will also be in the field.  Read about it HERE.

Kampf Remains Unbeaten in Euro Tour

Team USA Minnesota's Heather Kampf won the 1500 at the International Athletics competition in Liege, Belgium on Wednesday in 4:11.45 as US women swept the top four spots.  Former Lakeville North and University of Minnesota standout, Elizabeth Yetzer finished second in 4:22.60. Yetzer has periodically updated her trip to Europe on her Planet Yetzer blog HERE.

Smock Third in Hungary

Amanda Smock finished third in the triple jump at the Istvan Gyulai Memorial meet in Budapest on Wednesday with a leap of 13.86m(45'5.6").  Still short of the IAAF B Standard qualifier of 14.20m(46'7").  USATF Outdoor Championships TJ winner Andrea Guebelle finished ninth(13.48/44'2.7").  Full meet results are HERE.

Yes/No: How will the Minnesotans fare in the M70 - 1500 Meters at USA Masters?

The 2013 USA Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be held this week in Olathe, Kansas, from July 11th through July 14th.  Minnesota will have strong representation at the event, led by masters world record holder Sherwood Sagedahl.

Sagedahl headlines a trio of Minnesotans looking for gold in the men's M70 1500 meters.  This group is the focus of the question this week...

Yes/No: Will there be two or more Minnesotans that finish in the top three in the M70 1500 meters at the Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships?

The three Minnesotans in the M70 1500 meters are Sherwood Sagedahl, Thom Weddle and Rick Kleyman.  The M70 age bracket is for athletes who are between 70 and 74 years old.  There are eight runners listed in this race.  Sagedahl has the fastest seed time - 5:45.  The next fastest is Joe Wilcox from Hawaii at 6:20 and Kleyman at 6:28.  The rest of the runners in the race do not have seed times.

Sagedahl is the defending champion in this race.  He appears to be competing in the pentathlon, javelin and 200 meters as well this week.  Sagedahl and Weddle are 74 years old while Kleyman is 73.  In the 2012 USA Masters Outdoor Championships, Sagedahl won with a time of 5:46 and Weddle was third in 6:07.    Kleyman did not run the 1500 at this meet in 2012.

Here is some additional information from the USATF website:
- Schedule
- Entries
- 2012 Results

To play our game, simply type "yes" or "no" into the subject line of an e-mail and send it to us at DtBFantasy [AT] gmail [DOT] com before 8:00 A.M. CDT, Sunday, July 14th.  Please put your answers in the subject line of the e-mail and make sure your full name appears somewhere in the e-mail.  We will offer a bonus for participants making their 2013 debut in Yes/No - a correct answer will be worth two points for anyone who has not played yet this year.

My Answer:  No

Last week's question was:  Will Amanda Smock triple jump 46 feet or further on Friday at the OTC Meet in Chula Vista?  The answer was no - Amanda Smock won the OTC meet and jumped 45'10".   Twelve people answered correctly this week.  Lori Anne Schwiesow and Mary Varney continue to lead with fourteen points.  Mike Henderson, Pat Foley, Dylan Dragswiek and Jim Glazer are next in line with twelve points.

For all the results, please visit DtB Fantasy Corner, HERE.

The View from the Back of the Pack

Marathoner tells the Duluth News Tribune about the view from the back of the pack in the marathon HERE.

Amanda Smock Jumping in Istvan Gyulai Memorial on Wednesday

Amanda Smock will be jumping in Budapest, Hungry on Wednesday in the Istvan Gyulai Memorial.  Smock needs to get at least an IAAF B standard jump(14.20m) to have a chance to be on the US team for the IAAF Championships in Moscow.  Start lists for the meet are HERE.

The roster for the US team and the various athletes who are "on the bubble" to make the team and what they have to do to be on the team is HERE.

Trail Race Renamed

Half-Voyager Trail Marathon to be renamed in honor of Eugene Curnow.  Duluth News-Tribune story is HERE.

Brinkman and Krahn are USATF Minnesota Athletes of the Month for June

The Minnesota Association of USA Track & Field selected Eli Krahn and Kelly Brinkman as USATF Minnesota’s Athletes of the Month for June 2013.

Eli Krahn

At the Minnesota State High School League Track and Field Class AA Meet June 7-8, Krahn, a freshman at Stillwater Area Public Schools, won the 1600  and placed second in the 3200. His winning time of 4:09.38 in the 1600 set a new national record for freshman, and his time of 8:58.67 in the 3200 was under the previous MSHSL Track and Field Meet record of 9:02.65.

Kelly Brinkman

Brinkman, 32, of Bloomington, placed third at the US Half Marathon Championship June 22 in Duluth. Her time of 1:11:32 was approximately a seven-minute personal best, and she finished only seven seconds behind 2012 Olympian Desiree Davila.  You can read about Kelly at her blog HERE. 2012 Running Minnesota interview with her is HERE.

USA Track & Field Minnesota selects Athletes of the Month to honor excellence in track and field and its related sports in Minnesota. 

USATF Minnesota can be contacted through Managing Director Craig Yotter at 651-330-8847 or office@usatfmn.org. The chair of the Athlete of the Month Committee, Alex Kurt, can be reached at 651-206-1690 or apkurt@gmail.com.

Preview for Minnesotans at US Masters Championships

by Tom Langenfeld

Sherwood Sagedahl is one of 15 Minnesotans entered in the championships (that I know of) – and he’s actually entered in more events than listed in the USATF release.  Looks like he’ll also be trying to defend his pentathlon championship, an event in which he set an M70 world record last year.  The full “Status of Entries” list also shows him in the javelin, another event he won last year, and the 200m.

Sagedahl also won the M70 1500m last year, and he will be defending that title against a field that includes two other strong Minnesota contenders—Thom Weddle (third last year) and Rick Kleyman.  Other Minnesota gold medalists looking to repeat are David Lindenberg in the submasters M30 pole vault and Tom Langenfeld in the M75 high jump.

Several other Minnesota entrants have 2013 performances ranked near the top going into the nationals:   Michael Burns, second best  time in the M70 long hurdles; Lance Elliott, third in the M40 1500m; Jim Schoffman, third in the M60 400m; and Susan Loyd, fourth in both the W55 200m and 400m.

Gabriele Anderson Second in Meeting International Sotteville-les-Rouen 1500

Team USA Minnesota's Gabriele Anderson finished second in the 1500 at the Meeting International Sotteville-les-Rouen today in 4:05.68.  Morocco's Malika Akkaoui won in 4:04.97. In the men's 3K Garrett Heath was sixth in 7:44.87 and Ben Blankenship finished seventh in 7:47.07.  Full results are HERE.

USA Masters Championships this Week

More than 1,000 athletes, which include a total of five Olympians and 30 reigning world masters champions, will be on hand when the USA Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships kick off Wednesday, July 11, and run through Sunday at the Olathe District Activity Center in Olathe, Kansas.

Encompassing the true spirit of lifetime fitness and competing in five-year age categories, the USA Masters Outdoor Championships includes competitors ages 30-95+ in events ranging from 100-meters through 10,000m and a full array of field events. More information on the meet can be found HERE.

One Minnesotan listed in this USATF release on the meet: Sherwood Sagedahl (M73, Fairmont, MN) – 400m, 800m, 1500m

Olympic athletes competing in Olathe
Kip Janvrin (M45-49, Warrensburg, Mo.) – Janvrin is a 2000 Olympian and the oldest American to compete in the Olympic decathlon. He has won the Drake Relays decathlon an amazing 13 times.
Ed Burke (M70, Los Gatos, Calif.) – A three-time Olympian, Burke was the flag bearer for Team USA at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Sunder Nix (M50, Muncie, Ind.) – Nix ran the leadoff leg for Team USA when they won the gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in the 4x400m in a time of 2:57.91.
Chris Williams (M40, Colton, Calif.) – A three-time Olympian (2000, 2004, and 2008) for Jamaica, in 2000 Williams won a bronze medal in the 4x400m.
Jason Rouser (M40, Dade City, Fla.) – The University of Oklahoma alum won a gold medal in 1996 as part of Team USA’s 4x400m relay.
Along with Olympians and world champions, a long list of world and American record holders and national champions will be on hand in Olathe. Some of the bigger names to watch out for include:
Kathy Martin (W64, Northport, N.Y.) – She is a winner of multiple world championships as a distance runner.
Kathy Bergen (W70-74, La Canada, Calif.) – The former BenGay Athlete of the Year, Bergen is the first woman over the age of 70 to break 15 seconds in the 100m dash and the W70 indoor world record holder in the high jump.
Jeanne Daprano (W75, Fayetteville, Ga.) – Daprano became the first woman over the age of 70 to break seven minutes in the mile before becoming the first woman over the age of 75 to do the same. She was also named USA Track & Field’s 2012 Masters Athlete of the Year.
Rita Hanscom (W55, San Diego, Calif.) – Hanscom is a recent world masters athlete of the year award winner.  Lorraine Jasper (W50, Birchrunville, Pa.) – The 2012 world indoor 800m champion also holds a 2013 American indoor record mark.
Nolan Shaheed (M64, Pasedena, Calif.) – Shaheed is a jazz musician great that has played lead trumpet for Count Basie, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Dianna Ross and Marvin Gaye. He also holds world masters records in the 800m, 1500m and other distances.
Paul Babits (M50, Fort Wayne, Ind.) – Babits is a world indoor record holder and world outdoor pole vault champion.
Bill Collins (M60-64, Houston, Texas) – A past world champion who recovered from a life-threatening case of Guillain-Barre syndrome in 2011 to break world records in the 60m and 200m in 2012.
Oscar Peyton (M60, Accokeek, Md.) – Broke his own world indoor record in the men’s 60m at the USA Masters Indoor Championships.
Bob Lida (M76, Wichita, Kan.) – Lida was given the World Masters Athletics 2012 Best Master of the World award. In 2012 Lida established world records indoors in the 60m, 200m and 400m along with winning world titles in each event and set world outdoor records in the 100m and 200m.
Khalild Mulazim (Cleveland, Ohio) – Mulazim holds the world 400m record for men 45- 49 at 50.18.
Derek Pye (Long Beach, Calif.) – Holds the M40 American record in the 60m at 8.09 and won a silver medal in the 110m hurdles at the 2011 World Masters Outdoor Championships.
Landen Summay (Cincinnati, Ohio) – At age 47, Summay ran 2:00.65 in the 800m at the Drake Relays and is the reigning USA Masters Outdoor champion.
Bruce McBarnette (Ashburn, Va.) – McBarnette has won numerous masters world championships and established the world indoor record in the high jump at the USA Masters Indoor Championships.
Thaddeus Wilson (Oxnard, Calif.) – Wilson set the M60-64 world record in the 100m hurdles in 2011 at 14.37 and went on to win world titles in both the 100m hurdles and 300m hurdles.
Charles Allie (Pittsburgh, Penn.) – Earlier this year Allie established world indoor records in both the 200m and 400m.
Ty Brown (Washington, D.C.) – The world indoor record holder in the M65 60m hurdles, Brown ran faster than the world-record time in the 100m hurdles earlier this year at 15.20.
Don Isett (Dallas, Texas) – Isett holds the world indoor record in the pole vault for M70-74 at 3.25m/10-9 and won the 2011 world title.
Myrle Mensey (Saint Louis, Mo.) – Mensey set W60 American records both indoors and outdoors in the weight throw along with the superweight throw.
Johnnye Valien (Los Angeles, Calif.) – Valien won gold in the long jump, high jump, pole vault, javelin, and shot put at the 2011 World Masters Athletics Championships.

Local athletes competing in Olathe
Randy Wasinger (M35, Overland Park, Kan.) – Wasinger won the 800m and mile titles at the USA Masters Indoor Championships and is the reigning USA Masters Outdoor 800m champion.
Ron Kochanowicz (M40, Smithville, Mo.) – Kochanowicz finished runner-up in the 1,500m at the 2011 USA Masters Outdoor Championships.
Gwen Wentland (W40, Manhattan, Kan.) –  A veteran of five Olympic Trials in the high jump, Wentland was an All-American at Kansas State. She holds a lifetime best of 1.95m/6-5 and will shoot for the American or world mark in Olathe.
Kip Janvrin (M45, Warrensburg, Mo.) –  A 2000 Team USA Olympian at the age of 35, Janvrin competed for Simpson College in Iowa and now coaches at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.
Scott Menka (W45, Lee’s Summit, Mo.) – Menka won both the 80m hurdles and long jump at last year’s USA Masters Outdoor Championships.
Kevin Miller (M50, Olathe, Kan.) – Miller has won the 800m, mile and 3,000m at each of the last two USA Masters Indoor Championships.
Tim Wigger (M65, Shawnee, Kan.) – Wigger won both the 800m and mile at the 2009 USA Masters Indoor Championships.
Orville Rogers (M95-99, Dallas, Texas) – Rogers set five world records at events from 200m through 3,000m at the recent USA Masters Indoor Championships.

USATF 2012 masters age-group athletes of the year award winners competing in Olathe
Women
Kathy Bergen (W73, LaCanada, Calif.) – 100m, 200m, high jump, discus, javelin
Kathy Martin (W62, Northport, N.Y.) – 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10000m, 2,000m steeplechase
Coreen Steinbach (W61, Pomey, N.Y.) – 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m
Rita Hanscom (W55, San Diego, Calif.) –  100m, 200m, high jump, pole vault
Flo Meiler (W78, Shelburne, Vt.) – 100m, shot put, pole vault, 2,000m steeplechase, shot put, hammer throw, triple jump
Gloria Krug (W81, New Oxford, Pa.) – Shot put, discus, hammer throw, javelin
Christel Donley (W76, Colorado Springs, Colo.) – long jump
Charmaine Roberts (W45, Beltsville, Md.) – 400m, 800m
Lorraine Jasper (W51, Birchrunville, Pa.) – 800m, 1500m
Sonja Friend-Uhl (W41, Brentwood, Tenn.) – 800m, 1500m
Debbie Lee (W56, Trabuco Canyon, Calif.) – 800m, 1500m, 5000m, long jump, triple jump
Lisa Ryan (W43, Sioux City, Iowa) – Pentathlon, shot put, high jump
Carol Finsrud (W56, Lockhart, Texas) – Shot put, discus, javelin, hammer throw, weight throw
Men
Bill Collins (M61 , Houston, Texas) – 200m, 400m
Oscar Peyton (M60, Accokeek, Md.) – 100m, 200m
Nolan Shaheed (M60, Pasadena, Calif.) – 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10,000m, 2,000m steeplechase
Orville Rogers (M95, Dallas, Texas) – 800m, 1500m
Charles Ross (M90, Conyers, Calif.) – 100m, 200m, 400m, 1500m, 5000m, shot put, triple jump, discus, weight throw, javelin
Bruce McBarnette (M55, Sterling, Va.) – High jump, triple jump
Ed Burke (M70, Los Gatos, Calif.) – weight throw
Gary Patton (M67, Rock Rapids, Mich.) – 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10000m
Sherwood Sagedahl (M73, Fairmont, Min.) – 400m, 800m, 1500m
Robert Thomas (M45, Indianapolis, Ind.) – 100m, 200m, 400m


Competitors will have their sights set on the 2013 World Masters Athletics Championships, which are scheduled for October 16-27 in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Kampf Busy in Belgium

Team USA Minnesota's Heather Kampf is still attempting to find a 1500 to run this week in Belgium.  Two possibilities are in Liege on July 10 or Heusden on July 13. She already has a PR in the event on  this trip. "Was so much fun to pace/race the 1500 like I thought I could," she said of her 4:08.37 PR win in Lede on Saturday.  "Very happy."  After hopefully getting one more shot at the 1500, she'll be running the 800 in Kortrijk on Sunday and the she'll travel to Italy for an 800 in Lignano on July 16.

Gabriele Anderson Keeps Up Busy Schedule

After pacing the 5K at the Paris Diamond League Meet on Saturday("It was quite exhilarating pacing Dibaba last night!" Gabriele Anderson said.  "Definitely an experience I'll never forget."), Anderson gets back in action Monday night at the Meeting International Sotteville-les-Rouen in France in her event, the 1500.  On Saturday, July 13, she'll race that event again at the IAAF World Challenge Meet in Madrid.  Her teammate Jamie Cheever is heading over to Europe and will run the steeplechase in the Monaco IAAF Diamond League Meet on July 19.

Most of the Minnesota runners are using places in or around Leuven, Belgium as their base for traveling to meets in Europe.  Hassan Mead, Heather Kampf, and Elizabeth Yetzer are already there, Cheever will be joining them.  Kampf could run at Liege, Heusden, or Kortrijk prior to her 800 meter race in Lignano.  More on the various adventures of the former Gophers' travelling road show as they become available.

Gopher Results from the CAC Meet in Mexico

University of Minnesota's Alena Brooks anchored the Trinidad and Tobago 4 by 400 relay team to a gold medal at the Central American & Caribbean Championships in Mexico.  The T&T team finished in 3:30.64 and qualified for the IAAF World Championships in Moscow.  Brooks' Gopher teammates, Te'Shon Adderley(who ran for the Bahamas) and Todea-Kay Willis(who jumped for Jamaica) both placed fifth in their events.  Willis leap 6.32m(20'8.75") in the long jump and Adderley ran 2:06.65 in the 800.  Full meet results are HERE.

Mile/1500 Updates--Heath, Leer, Willis; Steeple Speculation

Video of the "fast heat" of the 1500(with Garrett Heath and Will Leer) at the Memorial Leon Buyle is HERE.

An update on Medtronic TC Mile men's winner Nick Willis is HERE.

LetsRun.com reports that USATF Champs second place finisher Ashley Higginson may not compete in the steeple until worlds, which could put Team USA Minnesota's Jamie Cheever on the team if third-place finisher Shalaya Kipp does not run an A standard time between now and July 20.  Lot of if's, so we'll see how it plays out. Letsrun article is HERE.

Kampf Wins 1500 at Leon Buyle Meet

Team USA Minnesota's Heather Kampf won the 1500 in 4:08.37, a personal best by nearly four seconds,  at the Memorial Leon Buyle Meet in Lede, Belgium on Saturday.  Lakeville and Gopher grad Elizabeth Yetzer finished seventh in 4:20.14.  Garrett Heath finished fifth in the 1500, heat 2 in 3:34.12, an IAAF A standard qualifying time.  Will Leer was eighth in 3:35.27, an IAAF B standard time. Elliott Heath was third in 3:39.27 and Ben Blankenship fourth in 3:39.70 in the men's 1500, heat 1. Women's 1500 full results are HERE. Men's are HERE and HERE.

At the IAAF Daimond League Meet in Paris Gabriele Anderson paced the women's 5K, going through 2K in 5:45.  Triunesh Dibaba won the race in 14:23.28, the best time in the world this year and a meet record.  Why pace?  One reason is that pacers are paid rather well for their services, as the top pacers can get five figure fees and bonuses if the desired outcome--usually a world record--is achieved. Full result of the 5K is HERE.

Aussie steeplechaser Genevieve LaCaze, who finished fourth in the Metronic TC Mile, will miss the IAAF World Championships after breaking her foot in a fall at the Sainsbury's Birmingham IAAF Diamond League Meet.  Story on her withdrawal is HERE.

Amanda Smock Wins Triple Jump at OTC-11 Meet

Amanda Smock won the triple jump with a leap of 45'10"(13.97) at the Olympic Training Center World 11 Meet at the  Chula Vista OTC Friday night.  It was a tight competiton with Smock recording three jumps over 45'.  The winning jump came on her second jump.  The mark is stii shy of the IAAF World Championships B standard.  Smock has until July 20 to get a qualifying mark.  Full results are HERE.

Finnerty Third in Victoria International Track Clssic 1500

Rob Finnerty finished third in the 1500 at the Victoria Intrnational Track Classic on Friday with a time of  3:38.49.  Meet results by event are HERE.

Three Runners with Minnesota Connections Selected for Second RunPro Camp

Fourteen up-and-coming distance runners, three of whom have Minnesota connections, have been selected to attend the second RunPro Camp.  The 2013 camp, hosted by the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), will be held in Arlington, Virginia, Thursday-Sunday, July 18-21.

 

The RunPro Camp, which was held for the first time in 2011 in Minneapolis, is designed specifically for athletes who are interested in pursuing a professional running career.  Selection to the camp was based on an application process, with most athletes being NCAA qualifiers and competing in distances ranging from the 800 meters up through the 10,000 meters as well as in cross country.

 

“We are excited to host the RunPro Camp in a continuing effort to attract and keep talented distance runners in our sport,” said Jean Knaack, RRCA executive director.  “We think we’ve selected a great group of rising stars who will have an opportunity to receive a comprehensive overview of what is involved in becoming a professional runner.”

 

The interactive camp provides a forum for runners to meet coaches and athletes from professional training centers, learn about sponsorship requirements, determine what type of representation would be best, find out about USA Track & Field resources and long distance running initiatives plus anti-doping compliance, as well as discuss how to work with the media and how to seek both financial and health support.

 

The athletes selected have finished their collegiate careers and show good potential for moving on to the next level.  Travel and lodging is being provided to the qualified runners who include:

 

. Eric Finan – University of Cincinnati

. Michael Heller – Kent State University

. Meghan Nelson – Iowa State University

. Jonathan Peterson – University of California Davis

. Gabriel Proctor – Western State Colorado University

. Cydney Ross – Duke University

. Ben Sathre – University of St. Thomas

. Danielle Stack – Iowa State University

. Gina Valgoi – Loyola University

. Amanda Winslow – Florida State University

. Kristen Findley – Vanderbilt University

. Cate Westenhover – Baylor University

. Lara Crofford – Shippensburg University

. Lauren Kleppin – Western State Colorado University

Peterson and Sathre run for Team USA Minnesota. Stack ran for Loyola Catholic High School in Mankato.

Anderson Sixth in Lausanne; Peyton Ninth at Peachtree

Team USA Minnesota's Gabriele Anderson finished sixth in the  IAAF Diamond League Meet in Lausanne 1500 in 4:07.46.  Results are HERE. Her teammate Meghan Peyton finished ninth in the US 10K road championships, part of the Peachtree 10K,  in 34:04. Results are HERE.

MIAC News

Laura Bloedorn

Four new members were  welcomed into the Carleton  'C' Club Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 22 at the Weitz Center for Creativity. The 2013 induction class included women’s distance runner Laura Bloedorn ’03, football defensive lineman Troy Ethen ’88, men’s swimmer Max Harper ’98, and men’s diver Ken Potts ’83.

A two-time All-American in the 10K and nine-time MIAC champion overall, Laura Bloedorn left her mark as one of the top distance runners in Carleton history. She qualified for the NCAA Championships a total of six times in cross country and track and field.

Her first trip to the national outdoor meet came in 2001 as a sophomore and resulted in an All-America performance—eighth place—in the 10K and All-America honorable mention in the 5K. She turned in a total of 17 All-MIAC performances and five of her nine career MIAC titles on the track came during the 2003 indoor and outdoor seasons.

That final year of competition for the Knights included three trips to nationals. At the MIAC Cross Country Championships that fall, Bloedorn placed second overall and became only the second Carleton female runner to earn all-conference honors all four years of her career. She made her second straight trip to the NCAA Championships, leading the Knights to their first team qualification since 1995.

Bloedorn was first to the line in the 3K and 5K at the MIAC Indoor Championships and anchored the Knights’ victorious distance medley. She made her first trip to the NCAA Indoor Championships that winter and picked up All-America Honorable Mention with ninth-place finish in the 5K.

At the conference outdoor meet that spring, Bloedorn won her second straight 5K title and completed a three-peat in the 10K. She returned to nationals and picked up All-America distinction with a seventh-place finish in the 10K.  She added All-America honorable mention at the 5K.

Bloedorn received the Pat Lamb award, which recognizes Carleton female athletes for their combined academic and athletic achievements.

St. Olaf
St. Olaf will induct six to its Athletics Hall of Fame in October. Longtime track and field and cross country coach Chris Daymont, Megan Daymont Thomas '03 (track and field, cross country), Steve Ryan '02 (football, baseball), Cole Pinnow '96 (swimming), Adam Rice '91 (men's hockey) and Bruce Govig '80 (men's basketball) will be honored at a banquet on October 5 in the Black and Gold Ballroom in Buntrock Commons at 6 p.m.

Team USA Minnesota in Europe, and Others

The Team USA Minnesota "How I spent my Summer vacation" Tour is underway.  Yesterday, Heather Kampf began her tour with in Cork, Ireland at the Cork City Sports meet.  Kampf ran 2:01.57 to win the 800.  Meet results are HERE.  Irish Examiner story on the meet is HERE.

On Saturday, July 6, Kampf will run the 1500 at the Memorial Leon Buyle meet in Lede, Belgium.  Kampf will also run another 800 in Lignano, Italy on July 16, and has possible races on July 10, 13, and/or 14.  Gabriele Anderson was the first to arrive in Europe as she ran the IAAF Diamond League meet in Birmingham last Sunday.  After racing 1500 in Lausanne on July 4, Anderson will take on pacer duties for the 5K at the Paris Diamond League meet on July 6.

Jamie Cheever, who is the "alternate" for the US team in the steeplechase has to wait until July 20 unless one of the three women who finished ahead of her drops out or doesn't get the A standard qualifier to learn if she will be moved onto the team for the World Championships.  Cheever has an invitation to compete in the Diamond League meet in Monaco on July 19.

Reading through the Cork results you'll notice some other familiar names:  Garrett Heath(3rd in mile 3:55.91), Ben Blankenship(6th in mile 3:56.66), Hassan Mead(2nd in 3000 7:52.00).

Yes/No: Will Amanda Smock triple jump over 46 feet at OTC Meet?

A strong argument could be made that Amanda Smock is one of the best current US track and field athletes with a connection to Minnesota.  Smock is a four-time USA National Champion in the triple jump and she competed in both the 2012 Olympics and the 2011 World Championships.  She is at it again in 2013 -- Smock finished third at USA Outdoors which gives her a shot at competing in the 2013 World Championships.

The qualifying process is a bit complicated, but essentially if Smock can match the "B" qualifier (46 feet, 7 1/4 inches) and neither of the top two finishers in the 2013 USA triple jump hits that mark, then Smock will go to the World Championships.  The other route would be to jump the "A" qualifier (47 feet, 3 inches) and not have to worry about other qualifiers.  Smock's current best in the triple jump is 46 feet, 6 1/4 inches.

Amanda Smock is set to chase these marks throughout July, starting with an OTC Meet in Chula Vista, California on Friday.

Yes/No: Will Amanda Smock triple jump 46 feet or further on Friday at the OTC Meet in Chula Vista?

Amanda Smock attended high school in Melrose.  She went on to become a three-time National Champion in the Triple Jump at North Dakota State University.  Smock's third place finish at 2013 USA Outdoor Nationals came with a jump of 45' 2.25" and indoors, she won 2013 USA Nationals with a jump of 44' 9.5".

To play our game, simply type "yes" or "no" into the subject line of an e-mail and send it to us at DtBFantasy [AT] gmail [DOT] com before 9:00 P.M. CDT, Friday, July 5th.  Please put your answers in the subject line of the e-mail and make sure your full name appears somewhere in the e-mail.  We will offer a bonus for participants making their 2013 debut in Yes/No - a correct answer will be worth two points for anyone who has not played yet this year.

My Answer:  Yes

Last week's question was:  Will three or more Minnesota athletes finish among the top three in his/her event at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championship?  The answer was no - Amanda Smock and Liz Podominick both finished third.   Twelve people answered correctly this week.  Lori Anne Schwiesow and Mary Varney continue to lead with thirteen points.  Dylan Dragswiek is second with twelve points.

For all the results, please visit DtB Fantasy Corner, HERE.

Talent Alone is Often Not Enough

He doesn't have Minnesota ties, but Irish middle distance runner Ciarán Ó Lionáird does have a valuable tale to tell.  Read about the ups and downs of an elite runner's career HERE. 

Track Trio to be Inducted into NSIC Hall of Fame

The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) has announced their 2013 Hall of Fame Inductees.  The induction ceremony will be held Wednesday, July 10 at the Best Western Kelly Inn/St. Cloud at the NSIC’s 14th annual Summer Kickoff event.  A social hour will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the ceremony at 7 p.m.  

The class of 2013 includes: Elizabeth Mulvihill, Bemidji State University; Patty Becker, University of Minnesota Duluth; Kelley Owen, Minnesota State University Moorhead;John Schultz, Minnesota State University, Mankato;  Julie (Jensen) Rozell, Northern State University; Van Nelson, St. Cloud State University; Wayne Hawkins, Southwest Minnesota State University; and Merridith Duellman Joly, Winona State University.

Founded in 1986, the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC - the former men’s conference) Hall of Fame was established to recognize and honor those who made significant contributions to the conference, to create favorable publicity and public relations for the league and to help preserve the history of the NIC, its member institutions, student-athletes, and other significant individuals affiliated with the league.  For the first two inductions (1986 and 1990) each selection hailed from the NIC.  In 1992-93, the Northern Sun Conference (NSC - the former women’s conference) and the NIC merged creating the current Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).  After annual inductions since 2000, today’s NSIC Hall of Fame now boasts 165 members and one team.In order to be eligible for the NSIC Hall of Fame, candidates must have made their contributions in the following areas: 1) former student-athletes, 2) administrator/coach, 3) official/supervisor/coordinator, 4) contributor/supporter, and 5) team. The conference provides two plaques, one of which will go to the inductee and one to the institution represented.  A history of each inductee will be kept in the league office and each institution will prominently display the plaques of their respective NSIC Hall of Fame inductees.

Kelley Owen, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Kelley Owen, a native of Bismarck, N.D., excelled in both basketball and track at Moorhead State University from 1980 to 1983.  In track & field she was named the Dragons’ Outstanding Track & Field Athlete in 1981.  A three-time Northern Sun Conference (NSC) outdoor champion, Owen holds the MSU Moorhead outdoor record in both the shot put (42’-5 ½”) and the javelin (161’). She placed fourth in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) National Outdoor Champion ships in the javelin as junior and second as a senior.  Owen also won the javelin in 1982 at the Drake Relays.
 Owen was also a two-time All-NSC team member in basketball.  She was team MVP as a senior and scored 887 points in three seasons with the Dragons.

After college Owen played women’s hockey and was a member of the 1990 U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team which played in the first Women’s World Cup Tournament in Ottawa, Ontario. She also played on the US Women’s Bandy Team in 1991, playing in the World Cup Tournament in Lillehammer, Sweden.  She also competed in the Minnesota Border to Border Triathlon in 1991.  Owen currently works for HealthPartners as a Senior Application Analyst and Developer in IS&T. Owen and her partner, Anne Breckenridge, reside in Minneapolis.

Van Nelson, St. Cloud State University

Van Nelson was a four-year letter winner in both cross-country and track at St. Cloud State from 1964 to 1968. He competed on the Huskies first men’s cross-country team in 1964 and was a four-year team captain. Nelson was the NIC Cross Country Individual Champion and Athlete of the Year in 1965, 1966 and 1967. He ran in four NAIA National Championships placing eighth in 1964 and followed that up with three straight third place finishes from 1965 to 1967. He was a four-time NAIA cross country All-American, four-time outdoor track All-American and three-time indoor track All-American. 

Nelson was a seven-time national champion at the NAIA indoor and outdoor championship. During his track career, Nelson ran 11 races at the NAIA National Championships, claiming three indoor titles in the two-mile run and five outdoor titles in the three-mile run (twice), two-mile run, mile run and 10,000 meter run. In his first outdoor NAIA championship he placed second in the three-mile run and set a US national freshman record with a time of 13:45.8.  In 1967, Nelson collected 24 points at the NAIA National Meet winning the three-mile run and mile run and placing fourth in the steeplechase. His point total gave the Huskies (with just Nelson running) a fourth place team finish. 

In 1968 Nelson was given the NIC’s “Most Outstanding Athlete” award in track and field. Nelson served as a track tri-captain as freshman and went on to captain the team the next three seasons. Nelson went on to compete at the national level as a member of the US Track Team in 1966 and placed sixth in the three-mile run at the AAU National meet and was ranked 24th in the word in the three-mile run and 28th in the six-mile run. 

He was a member of the Pan American team in 1967 and won Pan Am Games titles at 5,000 and 10,000 meters that year setting records in both races. He was a member of the 1967 US World Team finishing second in the 5,000 and 10,000 meter runs. He won the six-mile run at the AAU National Meet in 1967 and placed third in the three-mile run and was ranked fourth in the world in the three-mile run and eighth in the six mile run. 

Nelson was a member of the US Olympic team in 1968 and finished 29th in the 10,000 meters at Mexico City. He was ranked sixth in the world in the 5,000 meter and fifth in the 10,000 meters in 1968. In 1972 he was inducted into the NAIA National Track and Field Hall of Fame and the Drake Relays Hall of Fame. He is a member of the St. Cloud State University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Nelson and his wife Linda have been married 38 years and have a son, Adam and a daughter, Katie.   Nelson retired from the Edina School District after 41 years as a Science and Health Teacher.  He also was head track & cross country coach at Edina from 1972-1978 and coached with the team again from 1995-2013.

Wayne Hawkins, Southwest Minnesota State University

Wayne Hawkins was an All-America athlete at SMSU in both football and track.  A 1992 NFL draft pick of the New England Patriots, Hawkins was one of the most decorated football players in SMSU history holding several school records and earning numerous post-season awards.
 As a senior in 1991, he had one of the best season’s an individual football player could have as he set an NAIA record with 126 receptions for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns.  He also rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns and had one kickoff return for a score.  He finished the year with 134 points, which ranks second in school history.

 Hawkins, a native of St. Anthony, Minn., helped lead SMSU to a school record 9-1 season in 1991 and was named first team all-conference, first team NAIA All-America, first team AP Little All-America and Kodak College Division I All-America.  He also played in both the Kelly Tire Blue-Gray All-Star Classic and East-West Shrine Football Classic, becoming the first SMSU player to play in either game, which has rosters that are usually dominated by NCAA Division I players.

 Hawkins was an honorable mention NAIA All-America in 1990 ranking sixth in the country in receiving while in 1989 he finished the year ranked fifth in the nation in receiving.  He ranks second in school history in both career receiving yards (2,992) and receptions (248) and is third in career touchdowns (28).  He also is tied for the school single-game record with six touchdowns (vs. Northern State, 1991) and receptions with 19 (vs. Peru State, Neb., 1991).
 Following his career at SMSU, he was selected in the seventh round of the 1992 National Football League draft by the New England Patriots becoming only the second SMSU player to ever be drafted by an NFL team.

 On the track, he was a 1991 NAIA Outdoor All-America in both the 100 and 200 meters and was a 1991 NAIA Indoor All-America in the 60-yard dash.  In 1990, he was an NAIA Outdoor All-America in both the 100 and 200 meters.  He also was the NIC champion in both the 100 and 200 meters in both 1990 and 1991 and earned all-conference honors both years.  Hawkins was honored by his peers in both 1990 and 1991 as he was voted SMSU Student-Athlete of the Year.
Hawkins and his wife Kari have been married for 15 years and have five children.  Hawkins still works for the commercial cleaning  company he began 17 years ago along with dabbling in other entrepreneurial ventures.

Three Gopher Women to Compete in CAC Championships

A trio of current and former Gophers have qualified for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Senior Championships, which will be held in Michoacan, Mexico, July 5-8. Alena Brooks, Te'Shon Adderley and Todea-Kay Willis will all represent their countries at the games.

Brooks won gold in the 800 meters at Trinidad's national championships. She turned in a personal-record time of 2 minutes, 5.25 seconds. Brooks also placed second in the 400. At the CAC meet, her 4x400m relay team will try to qualify for the World Championships.

Adderley won the 800m in the Bahamas. At last year's CAC meet, she took bronze in the 1,500.

Willis was Jamaica's long jump runner-up with a leap of 20-4 1/2 (6.21m). During summer 2012, Willis won Jamaica's Olympic Trials.

Finnerty Sixth at Harry Jerome

Not everything happens in Europe on the outdoor track circuit.  Tonight in Vancouver, BC the Harry Jerome International Track Classic Burnsville and University of Wisconsin's Rob Finnerty finished sixth in the 1500 in 3:38.82, about half a second off his PR.  Canada's Nate Brannen won the race in 3:37.17.  Results for the 1500 are HERE.  Harry Jerome was a Canadian Olympic sprinter who won an Olympic bronze medal in the 100 in 1964.  He was a gold medalist in the Commonwealth and Pan American Games and went to college in the US at the University of Oregon.  In 1984 the meet that was held every summer in BC was renamed in his honor as the Harry Jerome International Track Classic. It's a fixture on the North American track circuit every summer.  Recap of the meet with photos is HERE.

Farewell to DNT's Kevin Pates

It seems somewhat fitting that Grandma's Race Director Scott Keenan and the Duluth News Tribune's Kevin Pates retired in the same year from their respective duties.  Keenan is the engine that drove Grandma's and Pates chronicled the history of the event.  A tribute column for Pates in the DNT is HERE.  Pates' final article on Kara Goucher is HERE.

Newell Promoted to U-Mary Head Cross Country Coach

By Brian Larson, U-Mary Sports Information Director

Following four straight appearances at the NCAA women's national cross country championships, national assistant coach of the year Dennis Newell has been promoted to head coach at the University of Mary. Marauders Athletic Director Roger Thomas today officially announced Newell as U-Mary's head men's and women's cross country coach.

The associate cross country head coach since joining the U-Mary coaching staff in 2006, Newell maintains his status as the men's and women's track and field assistant head coach in charge of the distance events. The U-Mary men's and women's track and field program continues under the direction of Head Coach Mike Thorson.

"We are pleased to award Dennis Newell the title of head coach," said Thomas. "Dennis has directed our tremendously successful cross country program for several years and it is important that we recognize his contributions to the University of Mary. The head coaching title more accurately describes his role in our athletic program. We look forward to Dennis continuing to provide outstanding direction for the Marauders cross country program."
 

Newell directed the Marauders to the NCAA Division II women's cross country national championships for the first time in 2009, placing 18^th in the country. The squad improved to 11^th in 2010 before jumping to fifth in 2011. Despite injury issues last season U-Mary claimed 13^th place.

In seven years at U-Mary coaching the men's and women's cross country teams, Newell has coached six All-Americans, ten all-region performers, 38 all-Northern Sun selections, and two conference champions. He was named the 2010 NSIC Coach of the Year.

"I am privileged that the University of Mary has made the decision to award me the title of Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach," said Newell. "I believe this decision by U-Mary is a direct reflection of the school's trust and commitment in myself and my ability to direct and guide our program and the student-athletes to success on and off the course and for my loyalty and the hard work I have put into the program over the last seven years.

"The title change clarifies cross country responsibilities, accountability and direction for prospective recruits, current student-athletes, administration and staff. Nothing changes in regards to Coach Thorson and myself; cross country will continue to follow a consistent and parallel path that fits within the overall cross country and track & field vision provided by Mike Thorson.

"I feel extremely lucky to be a part of a program that has the opportunities and resources to succeed like we currently do, and hope to continue the success we provide for so many individuals on and off the track and cross country course. I would like to thank Mike Thorson, Roger Thomas and Monsignor James Shea for their hard work and faith in giving me yet another opportunity regarding my coaching and teaching aspirations at U-Mary."

In addition to success in cross country, Newell played an integral role in U-Mary winning five women's Northern Sun indoor and five outdoor conference championships and a men's indoor conference title. The nationally ranked women's track & field program also has placed among the top 15 several times at the NCAA championships.

"You don't often find a coach who possesses the passion that Dennis does," said Thorson. "He has already accomplished some great things with our program and he wants to continue improving. I am excited and pleased that Dennis will continue coaching at the University of Mary."

A three time regional track coach of the year, Newell earned 2013 US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association National Women's Indoor Coach of the Year honors after coaching two event champions at the NCAA championships. Melissa Agnew won the mile run and anchored a championship Distance Medley Relay team, the first two U-Mary NCAA championships in any program. His student-athletes accounted for all but one of the team's 25 points that earned the Marauders a ninth-place finish.

Agnew captured another NCAA title in the 1,500 meter run at the 2013 outdoor championships.

Newell has now coached 127 all-conference performers, 36 Northern Sun champions, 24 All-Americans and three NCAA champions at U-Mary. A ten-time All-American himself while competing at Black Hills State University, Newell's athletes also have won numerous academic honors.

Carlson Out of Peachtree

Team USA Minnesota's Andrew Carlson has withdrawn from the USA 10K Championships event at the Peachtree on July 4 because of a sore Achilles  that flared up at the USA Half Marathon Championships at Grandma's June 22.

Liz Podominick on Her Way to Moscow

Liz Podominick is the only Minnesota athlete with a guaranteed spot on the US team for the IAAF World Championships in Moscow in August.  The graduate of Lakeville and the University of Minnesota finished third at the US Championships in Des Moines to qualify.  Despite a hip injury that threatened her season, she PRed twice and threw and A standard qualifier for the World Championships.  Below she talks about her progress in the event, coaching change, and what she hopes to be able to do in Moscow.

Liz Podominick
Photo by
Becky Miller

Down the Backstretch: Since the last time we talked(2011) you have “taken the plunge” to devote yourself to your “athletic side.”  What was the thought process on making that decision?

Liz Podominick:  I came to the realization that I could work a 'grown up' job anytime and that my time for an athletic career is limited. This is the time to pursue something that I will not be able to do ten years from now and I know I would regret it if I did not give myself a chance. 

DtB:  You had a website and a Twitter account(LizPodominator) where you were using social media to raise funds for your quest to make the Olympic team in 2012.  How did that come about?  Was it financially beneficial, something you might try again?

LP:  One one my best friends from high school, Rachael, and her family suggested that I do a fundraiser. Thank you Peterson family. They know me well and that it is hard for me to ask for things, so they made the offer to help organize it. We sat down one weekend to figure out the details and then they took it beyond something I could ever imagine. 

So many people from the Lakeville community, and beyond, came out to support me and I would not have been able to pursue making an Olympic Team or even the World Team this year without the money. I am truly blessed to have that kind of support and I will definitely consider doing another one...probably closer to 2016(smiles).

DtB:  Now you’re part of Mac Wilkins’ throws group.  Mac has some history with throwers with Minnesota ties as he helped out Lynn Anderson, who coached you at the University of Minnesota.  How did you become part of Mac’s group?

LP: I actually met Mac in 2011 at the Tucson Elite Throwers Classic at the University of Arizona. He was there to do some consulting for the athletes on the 'elite' list at the time. I had a decent showing and caught his attention. After the meet, we sat and talked, and drilled, about technique for awhile and he made the offer to work with me if I was interested. 

Last year I flew out to Portland to work with him for a week every couple of months (with the money raised from the fundraiser) and then always seem to have a big break through shortly after. When it came to the new quad cycle, I knew I needed to work with Mac full time and took a leap of faith when I moved out here in September.

DtB:  You had a hip injury this winter.  What happened and how did it impact your season?

LP:  I initially thought I had a hip impingement, but thankfully I had Dr. David McHenry from PACE look at my hip and discovered that my external rotators where weak. After a bunch of rehab and some rest time, I was able to start lifting and throwing again. 

I lost about a month of training in the winter, and I guess I will have no real way of knowing how it impacted my season. Obviously I did not get the amount of time in the weight room or the circle that I needed, but I do believe that I made a nice recovery and also know the warning signs to prevent something like this from happening in the future. Everything happens for a reason, so I try not to look back.

DtB:  You’ve made big progress this year with two PRs in the outdoor season—206’4” and 208’9”.  What improvements, adjustments have you made to allow you to get to this level?

LP:  Working with Mac has taken my understanding of the discus to a whole new level. So much of throwing is about rhythm and timing, which is something we have worked on a lot this year. My specific strength has also drastically improved, and I have taken more throws this season than I ever have before. Often time is the answer, and another year of throwing also helps add some distance, especially when I work with a coach of Mac's caliber.

I have also continued to work on the sport psych and nutrition side of training/competition and have been blessed to have more access to these services this year. Little things like being reminded to focus on what I can control, and even when to eat so my body is not depleted, can make the difference between staying where I was at or advancing to the next level.

DtB:  Your all time Minnesota shot put mark was beaten this year by Maggie Ewen, who was at the Junior Nationals in Des Moines and won the discus with a big PR of 179’6”.  Did you get a chance to meet Maggie? 

LP:  I actually got to meet her in Des Moines! I was watching my training partner in the men's disc and my high school coach introduced us. I was so glad to meet her face to face and congratulate her on breaking the record. She has such a bright future and I cannot wait to see what she does at ASU. 

People sometimes forget how many great throwers the state of Minnesota has produced, and I am so happy to see another one!

DtB:  Both you and Maggie struggled a bit in the early throws in the competition, but eventually threw far enough to accomplish some of what you wanted to do(you wanted to make the team; Maggie wanted to throw over 180).  Both had a bit of “nerves.”  Maggie said her dad told her to relax and have fun, don’t try to do too much.  What worked for you?

LP:  I just continued to work on focusing on the cues that had been working for me at training all week. Throwing is so much feeling and rhythm,  and I was just trying to find that feeling and rhythm throughout the competition.

DtB:  What’s next for you?  Will you compete, either in the US or in Europe, prior to Moscow?

 LP: I plan on competing at some domestic meets prior to Moscow and then head for training camp at the end of July in Austria. I have not planned any international competitions, partly because I do not have those connections. I think I need to get an agent.

DtB:  Stephanie Trafton won in Beijing throwing under your PR.  Anything can happen in an event on the bigger stages.  What are your goals going into Moscow?

LP: My goal is to make the cut for the next day of competition. While I am absolutely thrilled to make the team, I also want to do something while I am there. I could have just three throws and be done, but I am going to do everything I can to make it to the finals. That includes continuing to work on the rhythm and feel like I have been all season and trust that a big throw will be there when it counts!

DtB:  Aside from making an Olympic team, which is the logical next step, what are the plans for beyond Moscow or are you an “in the moment” person, taking it one step at a time?

LP: Well, I really need to start making some money in order to keep doing this. It has not been easy and I am pretty much tapped out financially. I know I need to actively pursue getting an agent and be more aggressive on getting some sponsorship. While I never know what will happen next, it always seems to work out. I just place my trust in God that he puts me in situations that are part of His plan.